JNFE CEO: I want to show bands a different world

By mixer


Thursday, November 13, 2008

There’s a whole barrage of criteria in choosing which musicians to promote, said Aulando Frazier, CEO of the Just Not Famous Enough publicity firm. And currently, his company is running online polls to help him and his team decide who deserves ultimate recognition at their awards show, scheduled for April 3 in Greensboro.

Irvine, a XFest veteran based out of Greenville, was nominated in the Best NC Grunge Band category but are also confirmed to walk the red carpet this spring as show performers.

“We do a lot of research on who we think is worth going on our polls,” Frazier continued. “Our award is based on how much drive you have and how determined you are.”

Then it’s the fans’ turn to go to the company Web site and VOTE for their favorite NC artists — which they can do as many times as they want because, as Frazier says, “it shows me there’s a drive toward their name.”

Since the polls have been posted, voters for Irvine have been in heated competition with fans of Wilmington’s Silver Judas, at times trading insults via comment box. But JNFE staff are the ones who will choose the final winners. Frazier says the polls are just “a barometer” for him to see which bands he should give to the press. Soon he’ll start promoting those garnering the most attention to music-appropriate magazines and companies in an effort to give them more exposure.

“My aim is to help get independent artists out nationally — and internationally,” said Frazier, who also has JNFE offices in Beverly Hills, New York and Toronto.

But why Greensboro? Why North Carolina-based bands?

“I think there’s a lot of talent out here,” Frazier said. “But I feel that a lot of people become complacent with being entertainers out here. I want to show them a different world — how it is in L.A. and New York.”

“But the simple answer is: ‘Why not?’”

The awards ceremony will be held April 3 at the Greene Street Club, Greensboro, where the city will be blocking the street for the red carpet arrivals. Select artists will showcase their live performance that evening, said Gabrielle Dimora, assistant to the CEO, and some will also be featured in national commercials aired on CMT, VH1, MTV, E1 and the Food Network.

Frazier said the commercial will be shot on Nov. 23 and should be ready for release in December or January.

Meanwhile, the online polls will continue to clock in votes for the nominees, whom Dimora said are looked at by affiliates at Billboard Magazine, Transworld Entertainment and Amanda Mosher, executive liaison of the Grammy’s.

Other categories are: Best NC Pop Artist, Best NC R&B Artist, Best NC Country Artist, Best NC Independent Rock Group and Best NC Hip-Hop Artist.

JNFE was founded this year in New York and is comprised of national and international recording studios, public relations offices, a film and television network, a performance venue, and music/video production company, a screen writing company, a casting agency and a tour promotion company.

More links:

Irvine's MySpace page

"Tight Rope" video

"Hollow Hero" video

Irvine Street Team